Moose blamed for two accidents
hours apart on Route 11
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Maine State Police were kept busy the morning of Sept. 21, responding to investigate two separate accidents involving three vehicles about three miles apart on Route 11, between Portage and Eagle Lake.
The first reported accident was the most serious, involving a moose and two vehicles. Both drivers were injured.
Photo courtesy MSP
ASHLAND POLICE CHIEF CYR MARTIN’S 2006 Chevy Blazer was destroyed Sept. 21 when he struck a moose and then swerved into the path of another vehicle as he traveled southbound on Route 11 from Eagle Lake. Martin remains hospitalized with leg injuries at EMMC in Bangor.
“At 7:45 a.m., Cyr Martin, 45, of Eagle Lake, was southbound in a 2006 Chevrolet Blazer on Route 11 at the top of Soucy Hill (T16 R4), when a moose entered the roadway. Martin struck the moose and swerved into the northbound lane, striking a 2002 Chevrolet pickup operated by Melford Bouchard, 70, of Newberg, head-on,” said Sgt. Tom Pelletier, MSP.
Ambulances from Eagle Lake and Fort Kent responded to the scene.
“Martin, Bouchard and Bouchard’s passenger, Eileen Ross, also of Newberg, were transported to Northern Maine Medical Center. Ross was treated and released. Both Bouchard and Martin were subsequently transported by Life Flight to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with serious injuries,” Pelletier said.
According to Pelletier, Martin, who is the chief of police in Ashland, sustained injuries to his legs. At presstime, Martin remained hospitalized at EMMC. Bouchard sustained chest injuries and remained in the Bangor hospital, listed in critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of MSP
A BULL MOOSE was killed and two people injured in an accident on Route 11 Sept. 21. Cyr Martin, 46, of Eagle Lake, struck the moose as he traveled south, causing him to lose control of his 2006 Chevy Blazer and striking a 2002 Chevy pickup operated by Melford Bouchard, 70, of Newberg, who was traveling north. Both men remain hospitalized.
Both vehicles were considered totaled. Troopers Dan Marquis, Corey Hafford and Sgt. Tom Pelletier responded to the scene to investigate, assisted by Eagle Lake Fire and Rescue personnel.
A second moose collision occurred approximately three miles south of the first on Route 11 at 9:55 a.m. No injuries were reported in the second incident.
“A 2012 Freightliner delivery truck owned by East Branch Delivery Service of Auburn and operated by Ronald Bell of Mars Hill was southbound on Route 11 in T14 R6 when a moose entered the roadway. The delivery truck struck the moose, with no damage reported to the vehicle,” said Pelletier, who investigated the crash.
The moose was killed.
Pelletier advises motorists to use caution, especially this time of year, as wildlife travel in search of food, preparing for colder months ahead. When driving, pay close attention to the sides of the road, especially in rural areas where deer, moose and bear may suddenly run from fields and woods.
